Beverage of the Week (BOW) – Archives
The 2017 Nia Cabernet is perhaps more supple and chewy than previous vintages while still being very juicy with low tannins and bright acidity. The Nia Cab is still an ideal happy hour Cab. The grapes are primarily sourced from California's Mokelumne Valley in Lodi. It is made with 85% Cabernet Sauv...
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This is the second Grenache from Troon that we have sampled and while we very much enjoyed both wines, these two wines could not be more different. Troon Vineyard is in the process of replanting their estate vineyard. In this transitional stage Troon is fortunate to have a relationship with their ne...
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This dense and charming Châteauneuf du Pape tribute created in Paso Robles is crafted with a blend of 40% Mourvedre, 35% Syrah, 20% Grenache, and 5% Counoise. In this Tablas Creek red their dense estate-grown Mourvedre takes the lead, which is unmistakable from the first nosing to the last sip. The...
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We have been a fan of the Troon Vermentino since first tasting their 2014 vintage. It was clear then, and remains certain, that the climate found in Oregon's Applegate Valley is ideal for growing grapes like Vermentino. Troon Vineyard's Vermentino is not styled in the mold of either French nor Itali...
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This complex and delicious white is a careful blend of five varietals: 48% Grenache Blanc, 22% Viognier, 12% Marsanne, 13% Roussanne, and 5% Clairette Blanche. I greatly appreciate that the trio of Tablas Creek (white and red Patelin de Tablas, Côtes de Tablas, and Esprit de Tablas) Rhône-inspired...
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Christian Brothers distill their fine Brandy in copper alembic stills just like they do in Cognac, for their great "Sacred Bond" Brandy. The grapes are all California grown and the spirit is produced from one season's harvest that is fermented into wine before distillation. The new spirit is then re...
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Vespertino is a new star in the cream Liqueur category. The Silver Tequila base is the ideal canvas for the alluring and complex flavors of fresh cream, brown sugar, cinnamon, cocoa, and vanilla. The name Vespertino means evening in Spanish and the flavors echoes that meaning with its suggestion of...
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The fruit for this charming and approachable Cabernet hails from both Napa County (86%) and Sonoma County (14%). The wine is fermented in stainless steel and then aged in French oak barrels (20% new) for a period of 20 months. This wine's name, Whisper Sister, and label celebrates Bertha Beringer wh...
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2017 was a challenging vintage for Pinot Noir in many respects resulting in smaller crops. However, the concentration of fruit in this wine is clearly evident so we consider it a blessing of sorts. This wine is purely a reflection of its place of origin, the famed Fiddlestix Vineyard. The vineyard i...
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Fighting Chance Pinot Noir is made with a blend of 90% Pinot Noir, 8% Petite Sirah, and 2% other red grapes. The name refers to the struggle of growing Pinot Noir in California's Central Coast. Pinot Noir grapes are thin-skinned. They bruise. They blister in the Sun. It is with good cause that winem...
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To be honest when I heard months ago that Don Q was to release an aged Rum finished in Vermouth casks I was a bit perplexed. What would the Vermouth bring to the party and would it possibly trample on the subtle accents of their Rum? One very extended nosing and the subsequent sip calmed any fears â...
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Just about two decades ago Prosecco took the export markets by storm and it has never stopped winning new converts. At its best Prosecco is fresh and balanced with a steady stream of bubbles and a bright finish. Prosecco is made primarily with the Glera grape that is also simply known as Prosecco. T...
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We are huge fans of the previous vintage of Tongue Dancer's Sonoma Coast Pinot but somehow this 2017 edition is even better. When tasting this wine I couldn't help but be drawn into an internal conversation of single vineyard versus a marriage of fruit from two or more vineyards. This wine is crafte...
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For lovers of bold Red Blends the Provenance DeadEye is a must-experience wine. This wine is proof-positive that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. This unique blend is made with a blend of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Petite Sirah, 5% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot, and 2% Malbec. The grapes w...
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Made with a blend of Barbera, Grenache, and Syrah sourced from select vineyards in Madera County and the Central Coast. The Barbera really shines through delivering bright strawberry notes with vibrant acidity. This Rosé is available in bottle and in cans – the cans seem to be the primary focus....
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